You know what's sad?

bracelet - gift from Oman (buy similar) | Billabong dress - Marshalls (buy similar)

Limited jacket - thrifted (buy similar) | wedges - Maurices (buy - ON SALE!)

And by "sad" I mean "pathetic," not go-cry-in-my-closet unhappiness.

I now have a list of outfits to wear (and photograph) once I lose weight. I have managed to put on enough pounds that a large majority of the clothing in my closet doesn't fit the way that it should. I could sit here and make excuses and tell you that between my sedentary job and all of the jewelry orders I've been getting, I just haven't had the time to exercise, but the truth is, it's my own damn fault. Exercise is important to my long-term health, and if setting time aside a few days a week to go for a jog means that my orders will take a couple of days longer to complete and ship, then so be it.

I'm not telling you this in an effort to get "aww, you look great!" comments, so don't bother. I'm telling you this because studies show that if you make a public announcement that you are committing to exercise and lose weight, you're more likely to stick to it.

So there it is: I have pounds to lose, I am going to exercise, and I am posting it on the World Wide Web in hopes that a bunch of strangers knowing my goal will help me accomplish it.

xo, Kellie

Pinspiration: Army Green and Stripes

(source: Happily Grey)

scarf - Target | sweater - H&M (buy similar) | jacket - PacSun (buy similar)

Levi's jeans - Navy Exchange (buy)  | Report flats - Ross (buy similar) | sunglasses - Fossil (buy)

I had a Pinspiration series on my last blog, and I felt it would be appropriate to continue it here at O&A. I get a lot of outfit inspiration from ensembles that I've pinned, and I sometimes . . . Okay, more than sometimes . . . outright copy outfits when I have similar pieces.

I believe in giving credit where it's due, so Pinspiration posts are back! Are you excited? I'm excited.

xo, Kellie

Tell me about it, stud.

necklace - Kellie Creates (buy)

dress - Maurices (buy) | Limited jacket - thrifted (buy similar)

bracelet - gift from Oman (buy similar) | Franco Sarto wedges - Marshalls (buy similar)

I feel like I'm channeling Sandy Olsen in this dress . . . Before the makeover, of course. 

I went on a little bit of an internet shopping spree last week. A Maurices catalog came in the mail -- along with a couple of coupons -- I found myself coveting a few of the items pictured, and out came the store credit card. You should check out their site, they've got quite a bit of cute stuff for spring! 

(This post is not sponsored by anyone but my wallet, by the way.)

xo, Kellie

Sun Spots

dress - Marshalls (buy similar) | Limited jacket - thrifted (buy similar) | Xhilaration tights - Target (buy)

MIA boots - Dillards (buy similar) | necklace - F0rever 21 (buy similar)

I had a hunch that the photos for this outfit would be unusable because I could see the sun shining into my camera as I was taking them. But I was pressed for time and wanted to cuddle with that pup next to me--he's been a little under the weather lately.

However, I kind of like how this turned out, I feel like the sun glare kind of fits with this desert-inspired dress. Or am I just reaching?

xo, Kellie

Proof that I Own Pants

INC shirt - Navy Exchange (buy similar) | Saltworks Denim jeans - TJ Maxx (buy similar)

Limited denim jacket - thrifted (buy similar) | scarf - Target | Report flats - Ross (buy similar)

watch - Fossil (buy similar) | earrings - Brighton  (buy similar)

I realized while going through all of my posts up to this point that I have yet to post an outfit with any type of pants. So here you go, proof that I do, in fact, own more than just dresses.

xo, Kellie

Date Night - Valentine Edition

dress - Urban Outfitters | jacket - Forever 21 (buy similar)

tights - Target | necklace - Forever 21 (buy similar) | MIA boots - Dillards (buy)

bracelet - gift from Oman (buy similar)

I had an awesome Valentine's Day, Matt definitely went above and beyond to make our first one together special. My day started with a trip to the spa where I got a full body massage, a facial, a manicure, and a pedicure. Then I came home to chocolate covered strawberries and a bouquet with all of my favorite flowers in my favorite color (purple).

Our plan for the evening was a nice dinner followed by an acoustic show, so I needed something that was both fancy and concert venue appropriate. My cropped jacket once again came to the rescue by "toughening up" an otherwise dressed up look.

Happy Friday!

xo, Kellie

For the Birds

dress - Jennifer Lilly designs (buy) | jacket - Forever 21 (buy similar)

bracelet - gift from Oman (buy similar) | Christian Siriano booties - Payless (buy similar)

This is the first Valentine's Day in my life that I have had someone to physically spend the holiday with. The Navy kept Matt away the last two years, and before then I just never had anyone.

Today I'm off to a spa day while Matt is at work, then we're heading out to dinner and a concert. The front man of one of my absolute favorite bands is playing an acoustic show tonight.

Not even the rain is going to bring me down today! 

xo, Kellie

Homecoming

Calvin Klein dress - Marshalls (buy similar) | Limited jacket - thrifted (buy similar)
Lower East Side boots - Payless (buy) | necklace - heirloom

My sailor came home from hunting pirates today! Homecoming is a fun event, it's exciting to watch the ship being towed up to the pier and then seeing the sailors get off the boat with flowers in hand.

Now we're off to eat out for lunch and do some shopping. Happy Saturday!

xo, Kellie

Dressed Up & Places to Go

Soprano dress - Marshalls | jacket - Forever 21 (buy similar) | MIA boots - Dillards (buy in brown)

necklace - Forever 21 (buy similar or similar) | bracelet - JC Penney

In one night I was attending a baby shower and going out for a friend's birthday, so I needed an outfit to cover both events. (I generally try to avoid any "costume changes," especially if I'll be with the same people from one event to the next.) I was slightly overdressed for the baby shower, but I think that my friends have come to accept overdressing as one of my quirks, and I'm okay with that.

xo, Kellie

Shiny & New

Mossimo dress - Target (buy similar) | Limited jacket - thrifted (buy similar) | scarf - World Market (buy)

Lower East Side boots - Payless (buy - ON SALE!) | necklace - Love Culture (buy similar)

Well, here it is: A brand-new blog! I decided to retire Elephants & Owls, that project started out as a joint effort between me and my very good friend Jessica, but it felt weird to keep doing it without her -- without the elephant to my owl -- and I was ready for a fresh start.

The subject matter here will be more concentrated than it was on E&O, I'm sticking strictly to style and beauty, no recipes or craft projects or self-indulgent posts full of images from parties or vacations.

Hopefully you'll come and check in with me from time to time. Let's do this!

xo, Kellie